Speed loader

ABSTRACT

A speed loader has an elongated planar body with opposed major faces, the elongated planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacles on one of the opposed major faces, each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, the plurality of cartridge receptacles arranged along the length of the elongated planar body in an articulated sequence, at least some of the plurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three different cartridge receptacles, and each obtuse triangular subgroup having two end cartridge receptacles proximate one major edge of the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle proximate an opposed major edge of the elongated planar body. The obtuse triangular subgroups may face the same major edge or opposite major edges. The obtuse triangular subgroups may each define an arc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/396,252 filed on Aug. 6, 2021, entitled “SPEED LOADER,” which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/066,970 filedon Aug. 18, 2020, entitled “Revolver Speed Loader,” and also claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/076,653 filed onSep. 10, 2020, entitled “Revolver Speed Loader,” which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety for all that is taught anddisclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to aspeed loader that enables a revolver to be reloaded more easily andquickly.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One handicap of any revolver is the time required to reload each chamberof the revolver cylinder with ammunition. Revolver speed loaders, insome form, have been around since the 19th century. The speed loaderholds and aligns ammunition cartridges so the cartridges can be loadedinto the cylinder chambers easier and more quickly.

Conventional speed loaders fall into one of two groups. A flexible,inline strip-style speed loader (commonly called a speed strip) arrangesthe cartridges in a single linear row where either one or two cartridgescan be loaded into the revolver at a time. The inline strip speed loaderis made of a flexible material and can lay flat in a pocket or case,making it more comfortable and concealable for the user to carry. Forthe most common revolvers, the reloading process requires threeengagements of the inline strip speed loader with the cylinder to fullyreload the revolver. Existing inline strip speed loaders maintain thesame spacing between sockets. This distance is established by theshortest center-to-center distance between any two adjacent chambers ona given revolver cylinder. The gap between cartridges loaded in theinline strip speed loader is equal to the shortest centerline distancebetween two adjacent chambers, minus the ammunition shell diameter.While the inline strip speed loader functions as intended, the user mustcarefully align the speed loader with the cylinder when reloading.Otherwise, insufficient clearance for the cylinder perimeter exists,which prevents reloading. An error in alignment requires the user tomake an adjustment, which increases reloading time.

The other type of speed loader is a rigid, round-style speed loader. Theround speed loader holds as many cartridges as the revolver cylinder haschambers, so all chambers of the revolver can be loaded at one time. Theround speed loader is rigid and bulky, making it more difficult anduncomfortable to carry without a pouch or holster. However, thereloading process is 3-5 times faster than with an inline strip speedloader because all cartridges are loaded with a single engagement withthe revolver. Although round speed loaders function as intended, roundspeed loaders have extended bodies that extend far to the rear of thecase heads. In smaller revolvers such as Smith & Wesson J-frame andK-frame models, round speed loaders are not usable because the cylinderdoes not open far enough to let the round speed loader clear aprotruding portion of the grip. Some people modify grips or select slimgrips with other disadvantages to use existing round speed loaders.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved speed loader that holdsand aligns ammunition cartridges so the cartridges can be loaded intothe cylinder chambers easier and more quickly. In this regard, thevarious embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill atleast some of these needs. In this respect, the speed loader accordingto the present invention substantially departs from the conventionalconcepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides anapparatus primarily developed for the purpose of holding and aligningammunition cartridges so the cartridges can be loaded into the cylinderchambers easier and more quickly.

The present invention provides an improved speed loader, and overcomesthe above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. Assuch, the general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improvedspeed loader that has all the advantages of the prior art mentionedabove.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present inventionessentially comprises an elongated planar body with opposed major faces,the elongated planar body defining a plurality of cartridge receptacleson one of the opposed major faces, each of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, theplurality of cartridge receptacles arranged along the length of theelongated planar body in an articulated sequence, at least some of theplurality of cartridge receptacles being arranged in at least two obtusetriangular subgroups, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups havingthree different cartridge receptacles, and each obtuse triangularsubgroup having two end cartridge receptacles proximate one major edgeof the elongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacleproximate an opposed major edge of the elongated planar body. The obtusetriangular subgroups may face the same major edge. The obtuse triangularsubgroups may face opposite major edges. The obtuse triangular subgroupsmay each define an arc, the arcs having a common radius. There are, ofcourse, additional features of the invention that will be describedhereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claimsattached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the current embodiment of a speedloader constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of a first alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver.

FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of a second alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the speed loader of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of a third alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the speed loader of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 a top isometric view of a fourth alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in use loading threecartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver in themanner of a left-handed user.

FIG. 10 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in useloading three cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-framerevolver in the manner of a left-handed user.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in use loadingthree cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolverin the manner of a right-handed user.

FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 7 in useloading three cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson K-framerevolver in the manner of a right-handed user.

FIG. 13 is a top isometric view of a fifth alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the speed loader of FIG. 13 in use loading twocartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolve in themanner of a left-handed user.

FIG. 15 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 13 in useloading two cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-framerevolver in the manner of a left-handed user.

FIG. 16 is a top isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 13 in useloading two cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-framerevolver in the manner of a left-handed user, with the entire revolvershown.

FIG. 17 is a bottom rear isometric view of the speed loader of FIG. 1 inuse loading five cartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & WessonJ-frame revolver, with the entire revolver shown.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the speed loader of FIG. 1 in use loading fivecartridges into the cylinder of a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver, withthe entire revolver shown.

FIG. 19 is a top isometric view of a sixth alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

FIG. 20 is a top isometric view of a seventh alternative embodiment of aspeed loader constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention for use with a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the speed loader of the present invention is shown andgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1, 17 & 18 illustrate the improved speed loader 10 of the presentinvention. More particularly, the speed loader 10 has an elongatedplanar body 12 having opposed major faces 14, 16. The elongated planarbody defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 18 on one of theopposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles isconfigured to removably retain the head of a cartridge, which isaccomplished by each cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 20that are arranged to prevent the cartridge flange from falling from acartridge receptacle unintentionally. Although multiple fixed jaws arethe preferred method of retaining cartridges, a sixth alternativeembodiment of the speed loader 600 with continuous jaws 620, as shown inFIG. 19 , is also suitable to removably retain the head of a cartridge.The speed loader 600 is otherwise identical to the speed loader 10. Thecartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. The jawsare molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform to releasethe cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removedfrom a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be moldedfrom either a single material or from multiple materials. The elongatedplanar body includes a tab 22 that is used to pull the speed loader awayfrom the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolver cylinder. Theelongated planar body defines a central aperture 24 that receives thecentrally located pin of the revolver extractor during the loadingprocess. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body forms apentagon and defines five cartridge receptacles for use with a 5-shotrevolver, such as a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver. As is shown inFIGS. 17 & 18 , use of a pentagon shape instead of a circular shape, incombination with a thin profile, provides adequate clearance for therevolver grip 38 and frame 40 while still enabling all revolver chambersto be loaded simultaneously. The thin elongated planar body allows thecartridges 28 to fully extract from the cartridge receptacles before theelongated planar body strikes the grip 38. This is unlike conventionalspeed loaders that extend much farther rearward of the cartridge headsto accommodate the retention and release mechanisms. The polygonal shapeof the speed loader 10 provides further enhanced clearance. In thecurrent embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formedof an elastomer.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the improved speedloader 100 of the present invention. More particularly, the speed loader100 has an elongated planar body 112 having opposed major faces 114,116. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridgereceptacles 118 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the pluralityof cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of acartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle havingmultiple fixed jaws 120 that are arranged to prevent the cartridgeflange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally.Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 100.The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. Thejaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform torelease the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to beremoved from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can bemolded from either a single material or from multiple materials. Theelongated planar body includes a tab 122 that is used to pull the speedloader away from the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolvercylinder. The elongated planar body defines a central aperture 124 thatreceives the centrally located pin of the revolver extractor during theloading process. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar bodyforms a hexagon and defines six cartridge receptacles for use with a6-shot revolver, such as a Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver. The use of ahexagon shape instead of a circular shape, in combination with a thinprofile, provides adequate clearance for the revolver grip 38 and frame40 while still enabling all revolver chambers to be loadedsimultaneously. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body isa unitary body formed of an elastomer.

FIGS. 3 & 4 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of the improvedspeed loader 200 of the present invention. More particularly, the speedloader 200 has an elongated planar body 212 having opposed major faces214, 216. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridgereceptacles 218 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the pluralityof cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of acartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle havingmultiple fixed jaws 220 that are arranged to prevent the cartridgeflange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally.Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 200.The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. Thejaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform torelease the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to beremoved from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can bemolded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In thecurrent embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formedof an elastomer.

In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 218are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 212 in anarticulated sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups222, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three differentcartridge receptacles. Each obtuse triangular subgroup has two endcartridge receptacles 224 proximate one major edge 226 of the elongatedplanar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle 228 proximate anopposed major edge 230 of the elongated planar body. The obtusetriangular subgroups face the same major edge in the current embodiment.The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc 232, the arcs havinga common radius. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an archaving a center of radius 234, the spacing of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles in each obtuse triangular subgroup defining a regularangular spacing of the cartridge receptacles corresponding to a capacityof a selected revolver cylinder, the number of cartridge receptaclesbeing greater than the capacity. In the current embodiment, theelongated planar body forms a trapezoid and defines six cartridgereceptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such as a Smith & WessonJ-frame revolver. Thus, the number of cartridge receptacles is greaterthan the capacity by one. The angular spacing between the cartridgereceptacles is 72 degrees. The use of a trapezoid shape instead of arectangular shape provides adequate clearance for the revolver framewhile still enabling up to three revolver chambers to be loadedsimultaneously. The cartridge receptacles are in an offset arrangementwith no more than two receptacles being aligned in a straight line. Thecartridge receptacles are also in an offset arrangement with none ofcartridge receptacles aligned on a straight line connecting any twoother cartridge receptacles. However, alternative arrangements ofcartridge receptacles are also possible, including the alignment of morethan two receptacles in a straight line. The spacing of cartridgereceptacles within an obtuse triangular subgroup is less than thespacing between any cartridge receptacle of one obtuse triangularsubgroup and any cartridge receptacle of any other obtuse triangularsubgroup. It should also be appreciated that adjacent obtuse triangularsubgroups are not aligned with each other. The speed loader 200 isambidextrous for use by both right and left-handed users.

FIGS. 5 & 6 illustrate a third alternative embodiment of the improvedspeed loader 300 of the present invention. More particularly, the speedloader 300 has an elongated planar body 312 having opposed major faces314, 316. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridgereceptacles 318 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the pluralityof cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head of acartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle havingmultiple fixed jaws 320 that are arranged to prevent the cartridgeflange from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally.Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 300.The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. Thejaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform torelease the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to beremoved from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can bemolded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In thecurrent embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formedof an elastomer.

In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 318are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 312 in anarticulated sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups322, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three differentcartridge receptacles. Each obtuse triangular subgroup has two endcartridge receptacles 324 proximate one major edge 326 or 330 of theelongated planar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle 328proximate an opposed major edge 326 or 330 of the elongated planar body.The obtuse triangular subgroups face opposite major edges in the currentembodiment. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc 332, thearcs having a common radius. The obtuse triangular subgroups each definean arc having a center of radius 334, the spacing of the plurality ofcartridge receptacles in each obtuse triangular subgroup defining aregular angular spacing of the cartridge receptacles corresponding to acapacity of a selected revolver cylinder, the number of cartridgereceptacles being the same as the capacity. In the current embodiment,the elongated planar body forms a parallelogram and defines sixcartridge receptacles for use with a 6-shot revolver, such as a Smith &Wesson K-frame revolver. The angular spacing between the cartridgereceptacles is 60 degrees. The use of a parallelogram shape instead of arectangular shape provides adequate clearance for the revolver framewhile still enabling up to three revolver chambers to be loadedsimultaneously. The cartridge receptacles are in an offset arrangementwith no more than two receptacles being aligned in a straight line. Thecartridge receptacles are also in an offset arrangement with none ofcartridge receptacles aligned on a straight line connecting any twoother cartridge receptacles. However, alternative arrangements ofcartridge receptacles are also possible, including the alignment of morethan two receptacles in a straight line. The spacing of cartridgereceptacles within an obtuse triangular subgroup is less than thespacing between any cartridge receptacle of one obtuse triangularsubgroup and any cartridge receptacle of any other obtuse triangularsubgroup. It should also be appreciated that adjacent obtuse triangularsubgroups are not aligned with each other. The speed loader 300 isambidextrous and suitable for use by right and left-handed users.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate a fourth alternative embodiment of the improvedspeed loader 400 of the present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 9 &10 show the speed loader 400 in use by a left-handed user loading threecartridges 28 into three revolver chambers 34 of a revolver cylinder 32.FIGS. 11 & 12 show the speed loader 400 in use by a right-handed userloading three cartridges into three revolver chambers of a revolvercylinder. The speed loader 400 has an elongated planar body 412 havingopposed major faces 414, 416. The elongated planar body defines aplurality of cartridge receptacles 418 on one of the opposed majorfaces. Each of the plurality of cartridge receptacles is configured toremovably retain the head 26 of a cartridge, which is accomplished byeach cartridge receptacle having multiple fixed jaws 420 that arearranged to prevent the cartridge flange 30 from falling from acartridge receptacle unintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are alsosuitable for use with the speed loader 400. The cartridge flange islocated underneath and held by the jaws. The jaws are molded from aflexible material so the jaws can deform to release the cartridgeflange, enabling the head of the cartridge to be removed from acartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can be molded fromeither a single material or from multiple materials. In the currentembodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formed of anelastomer.

In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 418are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 412 in anarticulated sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles being arranged in at least two obtuse triangular subgroups422, each of the obtuse triangular subgroups having three differentcartridge receptacles. Each obtuse triangular subgroup has two endcartridge receptacles 424 proximate one major edge 426 of the elongatedplanar body and an intermediate cartridge receptacle 428 proximate anopposed major edge 430 of the elongated planar body. The obtusetriangular subgroups face the same major edge in the current embodiment.The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an arc 432, the arcs havinga common radius. The obtuse triangular subgroups each define an archaving a center of radius 434, the spacing of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles in each obtuse triangular subgroup defining a regularangular spacing of the cartridge receptacles corresponding to a capacityof a selected revolver cylinder 32, the number of cartridge receptaclesbeing greater than the capacity. In the current embodiment, theelongated planar body forms a trapezoid and defines seven cartridgereceptacles for use with a 6-shot revolver, such as a Smith & WessonK-frame revolver. Thus, the number of cartridge receptacles is greaterthan the capacity by one. The angular spacing between the cartridgereceptacles is 60 degrees. The use of a trapezoid shape instead of arectangular shape provides adequate clearance for the revolver framewhile still enabling up to three revolver chambers 34 to be loadedsimultaneously. The cartridge receptacles are in a linear arrangementwith at least three receptacles being aligned in a straight line. Thetwo obtuse triangular subgroups are separated by an intermediatecartridge receptacle 436, which is aligned to create a third obtusetriangular subgroup by including the two adjacent cartridge receptacles.Adjacent obtuse triangular subgroups are aligned with each other. Thespeed loader 400 is ambidextrous and suitable for use by right andleft-handed users.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment of the improvedspeed loader 500 of the present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 14 &15 show the speed loader 500 in use by a left-handed user loading twocartridges 28 into two revolver chambers 34 of a revolver cylinder 32,with FIG. 15 showing a complete revolver 36. The speed loader 500 has anelongated planar body 512 having opposed major faces 514, 516. Theelongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridge receptacles 518on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles is configured to removably retain the head 26 of acartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptacle havingmultiple fixed jaws 520 that are arranged to prevent the cartridgeflange 30 from falling from a cartridge receptacle unintentionally.Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with the speed loader 500.The cartridge flange is located underneath and held by the jaws. Thejaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws can deform torelease the cartridge flange, enabling the head of the cartridge to beremoved from a cartridge receptacle. The elongated planar body can bemolded from either a single material or from multiple materials. In thecurrent embodiment, the elongated planar body is a unitary body formedof an elastomer. The elongated planar body includes tabs 522 at eitherend that are used to pull the speed loader away from the cartridges oncethey are inserted into a revolver cylinder. It should be appreciated thespeed loader 500 can be manufactured with only a single tab, or no tabs,to meet user preferences for carrying compactness. The speed loader 500is preferentially manufactured symmetrically with user-removable tabs onboth ends.

In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 518are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 512 in alinear sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptaclesare arranged in at least two subgroups 524, each of the subgroups havingtwo different cartridge receptacles. The two subgroups are separated byan intermediate cartridge receptacle 526. The spacing of the twodifferent cartridge receptacles in each subgroup corresponds to thespacing between two revolver chambers 34 of a selected revolver cylinder32, with a greater spacing between each of the two subgroups and theintermediate cartridge receptacle. The greater spacing provides adequateclearance for the revolver cylinder while still enabling up to tworevolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously. The number of cartridgereceptacles is equal to the capacity of the revolver cylinder. In thecurrent embodiment, the elongated planar body defines 5 cartridgereceptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such as a Smith & WessonJ-frame revolver. The cartridge receptacles are in a linear arrangementwith all of the cartridge receptacles being aligned in a straight line.The speed loader 500 is ambidextrous and suitable for use by right andleft-handed users.

FIG. 20 illustrates a seventh alternative embodiment of the improvedspeed loader 500 of the present invention. More particularly, the speedloader 700 has an elongated planar body 712 having opposed major faces714, 716. The elongated planar body defines a plurality of cartridgereceptacles 718 on one of the opposed major faces. Each of the pluralityof cartridge receptacles is configured to removably retain the head 26of a cartridge, which is accomplished by each cartridge receptaclehaving multiple fixed jaws 720 that are arranged to prevent thecartridge flange 30 from falling from a cartridge receptacleunintentionally. Continuous jaws 620 are also suitable for use with thespeed loader 700. The cartridge flange is located underneath and held bythe jaws. The jaws are molded from a flexible material so the jaws candeform to release the cartridge flange, enabling the head of thecartridge to be removed from a cartridge receptacle. The elongatedplanar body can be molded from either a single material or from multiplematerials. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar body is aunitary body formed of an elastomer. The elongated planar body includesa tab 722 at one end that is used to both orient and pull the speedloader away from the cartridges once they are inserted into a revolvercylinder.

In the current embodiment, the plurality of cartridge receptacles 518are arranged along the length of the elongated planar body 512 in alinear sequence. At least some of the plurality of cartridge receptaclesare arranged in at least two subgroups 524, each of the subgroups havingtwo different cartridge receptacles. The two subgroups are adjacent toone another, with an additional cartridge receptacle 526 adjacent to thetab 722. The spacing of the two different cartridge receptacles in eachsubgroup corresponds to the spacing between two revolver chambers 34 ofa selected revolver cylinder 32, with a greater spacing between each ofthe two subgroups and the additional cartridge receptacle. The greaterspacing provides adequate clearance for the revolver cylinder whilestill enabling up to two revolver chambers to be loaded simultaneously.The number of cartridge receptacles is equal to the capacity of therevolver cylinder. In the current embodiment, the elongated planar bodydefines 5 cartridge receptacles for use with a 5-shot revolver, such asa Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver. The cartridge receptacles are in alinear arrangement with all of the cartridge receptacles being alignedin a straight line. The speed loader 700 is ambidextrous and suitablefor use by right and left-handed users. The speed loader first loadsrounds one and two (the ones farthest from the tab), then rounds threeand four, and then round five (the one adjacent to the tab).

While a current embodiment of a speed loader has been described indetail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations theretoare possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention. With respect to the above description then, it is to berealized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A speed loader for storing and loading cartridges to arevolver cylinder comprising: a planar body with opposed major forwardand rear faces and having a periphery; the planar body defining aplurality of cartridge receptacles on the forward face; each of theplurality of cartridge receptacles configured to removably retain thehead of a cartridge; and the plurality of cartridge receptacles arrangedin a regular polygon proximate to the periphery.
 2. The speed loader ofclaim 1 wherein each of the cartridge receptacles defines a floor spacedapart from the rear face by a limited floor thickness amount.
 3. Thespeed loader of claim 2 wherein the planar body has an overall thicknessof a first thickness, and the floor thickness is less than half of theoverall thickness.
 4. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the rearsurface is flat.
 5. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the rear surfaceis free of protrusions.
 6. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein eachreceptacle has a selected diameter, and the floor thickness is less thanhalf of the diameter.
 7. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein eachreceptacle has a selected diameter, the planar body has an overallthickness, and the overall thickness is less than the selected diameter.8. The speed loader of claim 1 including a tab protruding laterally fromthe periphery.
 9. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the body is aunitary body.
 10. The speed loader of claim 1 wherein the body iselastomeric.
 11. A speed loader for storing and loading cartridges to arevolver having a revolver cylinder with a rear surface, and a griphaving a forward portion opposite the cylinder rear surface andseparated by the rear surface by a grip gap, the speed loadercomprising: a planar body with opposed major forward and rear faces andhaving a periphery; the planar body defining a plurality of cartridgereceptacles on the forward face; each of the plurality of cartridgereceptacles configured to removably retain the head of a cartridgehaving a case length; each of the cartridge receptacles defining a floorsurface spaced apart from the rear face by a limited floor thicknessamount; and the case length plus the floor thickness being a limitedoverall length relative to the grip gap, such that the speed loader andcases may readily be extracted from the cylinder without interference bythe grip.
 12. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the plurality ofcartridge receptacles is arranged in a regular polygon proximate to theperiphery.
 13. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the cylinder has acylinder length and the case length plus the floor thickness being lessthan the cylinder length.
 14. The speed loader of claim 11 wherein theplanar body has an overall thickness of a first thickness, and the floorthickness is less than half of the overall thickness.
 15. The speedloader of claim 11 wherein the rear surface is flat.
 16. The speedloader of claim 11 wherein the rear surface is free of protrusions. 17.The speed loader of claim 11 wherein each receptacle has a selecteddiameter, and the floor thickness is less than half of the diameter. 18.The speed loader of claim 11 wherein each receptacle has a selecteddiameter, the planar body has an overall thickness, and the overallthickness is less than the selected diameter.
 19. The speed loader ofclaim 11 including a tab protruding laterally from the periphery. 20.The speed loader of claim 11 wherein the body is a unitary body.